Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard is on track to be cleared for full-contact practice within the next two weeks, according to NBA insider Shams Charania. The seven-time All-Star has been sidelined indefinitely since being diagnosed with a blood clot in his right calf.
Lillard has already resumed light workouts, a promising sign for the Bucks as they prepare for the postseason. Medical evaluations have shown that his condition has improved, with the clot shrinking in size, giving doctors confidence in his recovery.
“There is a chance [that Lillard returns this season]. There’s optimism,” Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show. “And with blood clots usually it’s an extended absence. It’s months long absence. But I’m told his treatment started early, they identified kind of what it was, they started treatment. Then they finally got the diagnosis back.
“He’s having doctor appointments every single week to gauge how that blood clot looks in that calf. My understanding is doctors are encouraged by where it’s at. They see that that blood clot is actually lowering. It’s decreasing. It’s diminishing. And he’s doing some light workouts right now. He’s he’s hopeful to get cleared here in the next week/week and a half to go full go contact and then resume basketball and play in games for the Milwaukee Bucks.
“So that is good news though. The doctors are going in They’re seeing that that that blood clot is actually diminishing in his right calf. We’ll see if he’s going to be able to make it back. That’s going to be a fluid situation but lot of pressure. Lot of pressure.”
Milwaukee has struggled in Lillard’s absence, posting a 3-4 record and slipping to sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with a 41-34 record. The team remains in a tight playoff race, with Detroit (42-34) and Indiana (45-31) slightly ahead in the standings.
Before being sidelined, Lillard was averaging 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game in his second season with the Bucks. His last appearance came in a loss to the Golden State Warriors on March 18.
Bucks general manager Jon Horst stressed that the organization is prioritizing Lillard’s health above all else. “Damian’s health is our No. 1 priority,” Horst said. “We will support him as he navigates this process, following strict weekly medical criteria to ensure that he can safely return to play.”
Medical experts have indicated that the likelihood of the issue recurring is low, and the team remains optimistic about his availability before the regular season concludes. Lillard has been attending weekly check-ups, and his treatment on blood thinners has stabilized the condition.
The Bucks have faced persistent injury issues in recent seasons, hampering their ability to enter the playoffs at full strength. Since winning the championship in 2021, Milwaukee has yet to make a deep postseason run with a fully healthy roster.
With Lillard’s return on the horizon, Milwaukee hopes to regain momentum before the playoffs begin. The team’s ability to compete against top Eastern Conference contenders could hinge on his availability, especially given their recent offensive inconsistencies.
